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Details emerge in DUI case involving Rockies star Todd Helton

Rockies star Todd Helton has a court date scheduled for May 20. (The Associated Press)

Rockies first baseman Todd Helton said he had "two igloo cups of red wine" before being arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of driving under the influence and careless driving, according to an incident report released by the Thornton Police Department on Thursday.

Helton's admission occurred during the booking process. Helton made "spontaneous statements about drinking two igloo cups of red wine" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to the police report.

At 2:08 a.m. Wednesday, an officer responded to a call from a driver that a black pickup truck was weaving on Colorado Boulevard and had struck a median. The officer located the vehicle soon afterward at a gas station at 12780 Colorado Blvd. in Thornton.

The officer first made contact with Helton, 39, when Helton walked out of the gas station holding his wallet, chewing tobacco and lottery tickets. The officer detected a "strong odor" of alcohol. Helton initially tried to avoid eye contact, and his speech was slurred and hard to understand, according to the report. The officer described Helton's eyes as bloodshot and watery. Helton told the officer that he was at the gas station to get his truck washed, echoing what he told The Denver Post in a brief conversation Wednesday.

Helton was informed that another driver had contacted police regarding a possible DUI. The driver alleged that Hel- ton turned into the oncoming lane on Colorado Boulevard, swerved and hit a median on the left near a crosswalk before 128th Avenue. Helton denied hitting the curb.

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After his arrest, Helton consented to a breath test while traveling to the police station and was "respectful and professional throughout the entire process."

Adams/Broomfield Counties District Attorney Dave Young confirmed Thursday that Helton was charged with driving under the influence and careless driving. Helton's next court date is scheduled for May 20 at 8:30 a.m. in Adams County Court. The district attorney released a statement saying his office would have no further comment because "all aspects of the case are pending investigation."

Photos: Todd Helton

According to the incident report, the officer asked Helton for his driver's license and Helton "began to look around inside his vehicle. He then walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle to continue to look for his identification." The officer interrupted and "asked if his ID was in his wallet that was sitting on the front driver's seat." Helton found his license in his wallet.

One of the officers arriving at the scene while Helton was being questioned stated he had spoken with the person who called 911. The officer said the witness saw the vehicle "turn into the lane for oncoming traffic on Colorado Boulevard" and then watched the truck pull into the gas station and saw the driver get out and inspect the vehicle for damage. The witness confirmed Helton was the person driving the truck.

Helton apologized for the incident Wednesday, taking responsibility for his poor judgement while asking for forgiveness.

"My entire career I have worked to set a positive example for my family and in our community and I fell far short of this standard. I sincerely ask my family, the Colorado Rockies organization, Major League Baseball and the community to accept my apology. I make no excuses and accept full responsibility for my actions," he said.

The Rockies have been in contact with Helton, who isn't facing any disciplinary action from the team. But the Rockies expressed disappointment with his arrest, saying, in part, "that (Helton) clearly understands the seriousness of his poor decision, the harm that could have been inflicted on others and the embarrassment his mistake has caused to himself, his family, the Colorado Rockies organization and to Major League Baseball."

Helton, the most accomplished player in Rockies history, is in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $5 million, and is expected to retire at the end of the 2013 season.

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